SANDPOINT — Sandpoint senior Trinity Golder had just signed a letter of intent as a preferred walk-on to play basketball at Eastern Washington University recently, and was staying up late during the evening applying for scholarships when she woke up one morning to a text from EWU head coach Wendy Schuller.

The text asked for Golder, a sweet-shooting 5-11 guard who planned to practice and play with the Eagles next year while still paying her own tuition, to give her coach a call.

“I was super nervous wondering what could it be and I called her right away,” recalled Golder, who was told a full-ride scholarship had opened up and it had her name on it. “I humbly accepted and thanked her (Schuller) for the opportunity she gave me. Once the call ended I ran into my parents’ room and told them the news and we were all pretty much screaming and jumping in happiness.”

Following her dream of playing college basketball had been a bumpy ride for Golder. As a junior transfer from Bonners Ferry, she adjusted well to the 4A level, eclipsing 20 points six times while pouring in 66 points in the state tournament. That performance caught the eyes of some college programs.

But a knee injury in summer play put a hold on things, and ended up costing her the majority of her senior season. She returned in time for districts and immediately made her presence felt, including draining four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of a huge win over Moscow.

Golder has deep range and a fluid release on her jump shot, and when healthy, can get to the rim and finish, often scoring in bunches. Bulldog head coach Duane Ward calls her the best pure shooter he’s ever coached, and Schuller also likes what she’s seen from Golder.

“She was a young lady who has committed to being an Eagle and who we see having a bright future. Because of that, when a scholarship came open this spring we awarded it to her,” said Schuller. “Trinity is a talented player. She shoots the ball extremely well and has a great feel for the game.”

Golder said the full ride means the world to her and parents Tracy and Julie, and now she gets a college education while playing the sport she loves without the financial worry.

“It is a privilege that I won’t take for granted,” said Golder. “When that call came that day it was surreal. I plan to show my gratitude in practice, on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”

Golder will be re-united with teammate Grace Kirscher at the next level, after Kirscher also received a full-ride to play hoops at the Big Sky Conference program in Cheney.

The two were a handful for opposing defenses the past two years in the Inland Empire League, and both are looking forward to honing their games and helping the Eagles win.

“Trinity and Grace both have nice size for guards,” described Schuller. “I think they are both exceptional young women who I know will work extremely hard for us, and when you combine that with their talent level, it bodes for a very nice future for them and for us.”

The Bulldog program has now put three players in Division 1 basketball in the last three years, with Madi Schoening entering her third season as a starter at the University of Montana.

Golder is just thrilled to keep playing the game she loves at a highly-competitive level.

“I want to make some pretty amazing memories,” she said. “Living the dream while growing as person, player and student at an amazing university like EWU.”